The Carousel of Progress has been one of the most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland since 1974. More guests have visited this show than in
any other theatrical presentation in the history of American theatre.
This attraction involves a number of small theatres revolving around four different staged scenes, each one in turn, showing four generations of the same American family. Each scene represents a different period in the 20th century. The first scene takes us back to the beginning of the 20th century when the family (all audio-animatronics) are amazed by their modern appliances, a manual water pump in their kitchen and an oven that uses coal!
As you rotate around the stage to the next scene the theme song "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" plays. The family is now in the 1920’s when electricity was just being introduced into their home. Electrical cords are hanging all across the ceiling and they have now an electric stove, a vacuum and a refrigerator.
Into the 1940’s and everything is electric! The television, the cake mixer and even the exercise equipment are amongst the latest gadgets.
In the final scene we move fast forward into the future. It’s Christmas day and the father is cooking the turkey dinner in a voice-activated oven. They have a high definition television (not so much in the future then! ) and virtual reality. Listen for the voice of the grandma; you might recognize it as the voice of Judy Jetson from the cartoon show The Jetsons. Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny) and his son also provide some of the voices. Look for the Hidden Mickeys in the last scene – the nutcracker on the fireplace, the pepper mill, the Christmas wrapping paper and a soft toy peeking out of one of the presents.
All the scenes are synchronized and timed to the second. As guests travel to each section the theme song is also synchronized so you can sing along from one scene to the next.
The show can take 1440 guests at any one time with continuous shows meaning that there is never a long wait. Just walk up the ramp and wait for the next door to rotate around. The total show time is twenty-one minutes, so a welcome rest for those with tired feet! However, The Carousel of Progress is a seasonal ride so always check your guide to see if it is running the day that you are visiting Magic Kingdom.
So, go and see the show for yourself and I challenge you not to be singing the theme music as you walk out back into Tomorrowland!
any other theatrical presentation in the history of American theatre.
This attraction involves a number of small theatres revolving around four different staged scenes, each one in turn, showing four generations of the same American family. Each scene represents a different period in the 20th century. The first scene takes us back to the beginning of the 20th century when the family (all audio-animatronics) are amazed by their modern appliances, a manual water pump in their kitchen and an oven that uses coal!
As you rotate around the stage to the next scene the theme song "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" plays. The family is now in the 1920’s when electricity was just being introduced into their home. Electrical cords are hanging all across the ceiling and they have now an electric stove, a vacuum and a refrigerator.
Into the 1940’s and everything is electric! The television, the cake mixer and even the exercise equipment are amongst the latest gadgets.
In the final scene we move fast forward into the future. It’s Christmas day and the father is cooking the turkey dinner in a voice-activated oven. They have a high definition television (not so much in the future then! ) and virtual reality. Listen for the voice of the grandma; you might recognize it as the voice of Judy Jetson from the cartoon show The Jetsons. Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny) and his son also provide some of the voices. Look for the Hidden Mickeys in the last scene – the nutcracker on the fireplace, the pepper mill, the Christmas wrapping paper and a soft toy peeking out of one of the presents.
All the scenes are synchronized and timed to the second. As guests travel to each section the theme song is also synchronized so you can sing along from one scene to the next.
The show can take 1440 guests at any one time with continuous shows meaning that there is never a long wait. Just walk up the ramp and wait for the next door to rotate around. The total show time is twenty-one minutes, so a welcome rest for those with tired feet! However, The Carousel of Progress is a seasonal ride so always check your guide to see if it is running the day that you are visiting Magic Kingdom.
So, go and see the show for yourself and I challenge you not to be singing the theme music as you walk out back into Tomorrowland!